bcc

If you're a full time post production worker in the US that makes less than the median income where you live, you might have some trouble making the next leap in your career. It's hard to say yes to opportunities that would enrich your work life and help you build connections to climb the ladder when your finances limit your choices. That's why Blue Collar Post Collective created the Professional Development Accessibility Program (PDAP).

PDAP is the central program of BCPC. We pay for selected low-income post production professionals to attend important industry events, conferences and trade shows that would otherwise be inaccessible due to cost. Since Fall 2016, we've sent post people from Texas, California, New York, and Indiana to events like NAB Show, EditFest LA, and SMPTE Tech Conference.

Through Friday, May 11th, we're accepting applications from people who want to attend Sight, Sound, and Story in New York City. Travel and accommodation is provided by PDAP as needed, with entry donated by Manhattan Edit Workshop.

This year's Sight, Sound, and Story Post Production Summer Event will feature editors across documentary, television and film. And PDAP recipients from outside New York will be provided additional opportunities for tours and connections as available, thanks to the vast BCPC community. Recipients provide a blog or Q&A after the event, which is cool because you get your own press!

Here's a secret: often when we open applications for specific events, we don't get that many applicants because people assume someone else is in more need than they are -- and that is really silly. Let US decide who not only has the greatest need, but would make the best use of the opportunity for their own career path.

Yeah, it's actually free. No, it's not too good to be true. We aren't predatory. We just want to do the right thing because we've been in situations where we've missed out. Katie Hinsen, our co-founder and former co-president, came up with the program after a member, who was an intern at a major New York post house, had a technical paper accepted to a major conference but was unable to attend because of its inherent costs. With travel, accommodation and conference passes, many people who don't have the support of their employer, aren't seen as "decision makers", or don't have the money to spend, are excluded from opportunities that could be incredibly valuable to them.

For the young man who wasn't able to present his paper, he might have missed out on a huge break in his career. Furthermore, the conference attendees missed out on seeing more of the true diversity that exists in our industry. Katie was so upset that this happened, she vowed to find a way to make sure it never happens again. So I started the PDAP program.